NAHL announces Bauer Hockey Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending October 23, 2022. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2022-23 season that honors the top performing players in each of the four NAHL divisions. Only players that are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the Divisional Players of the Week award.
Central Division Star of the Week: Trent Wiemken, Goaltender, Austin Bruins
With veteran goalie Ethan Robertson sidelined with an injury, first-year netminder Trent Wiemken, 18, stepped in and led the Austin Bruins to a weekend road sweep of the Bismarck Bobcats. The 6’0/168 lbs. native of Fargo, ND, went 2-0 on the weekend and stopped 67 of 72 shots in the two wins. On Friday, Wiemken made 35 saves in a 5-3 win. On Saturday, he made 32 saves, then stopped 6 of 8 shooters in the shootout for a 3-2 win. For the season, Wiemken has a 3-1-1 record with a 3.10 goals against average and a .876 save percentage. “We traveled to Bismarck with a lot of injuries and Trent stepped up in a big way. He was able to secure two big road wins for us in front of his friends and family that drove over from Fargo, and we are all very proud of his performance in both games,” said Bruins head coach Steve Howard.
2nd Star: Cole Moore, G, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Ethan Dahlmeir, G, St. Cloud Norsemen – Justin Dauphinais, F, Minot Minotauros – Logan Dombrowsky, F, North Iowa Bulls – Paavo Hiltonen, D, North Iowa Bulls – Drew Holt, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Patrick Johnson, F, Bismarck Bobcats – Jackson Luther, F, Austin Bruins – Patrick O’Connell, F, Aberdeen Wings – Nick O’Hanisain, D, Minot Minotauros
East Division Star of the Week: Ben Muthersbaugh, Forward, New Jersey Titans
New Jersey forward Ben Muthersbaugh, 18, had his best weekend thus far in a Titans uniform as he helped the team to a weekend road split against the Philadelphia Rebels. The 5’11/209 lbs. native of Gilford, NH, had four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in the two games. On Friday, he scored both regular goals for the Titans in a 3-2 shootout win. On Saturday, he had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 loss. For the season, Muthersbaugh has seven points in 15 games played. “Ben had a big weekend for us. He was able to drive the ship offensively and really sparked the team on the road. Ben has continued to work hard on his game and round it out. He has had a good start to the year offensively and we look forward to his game continuing to grow,” said Titans head coach Craig Doremus.
2nd Star: Jakub Krbecek, G, Philadelphia Rebels
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Anthony Achille, F, Maine Nordiques – Drake Albers, F, Johnstown Tomahawks – Henrik Hallberg, F, Maine Nordiques – Miles Harrington, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – Robert Hyde, F, New Jersey Titans – Branden Piku, F, Maryland Black Bears – Kristians Samitis, F, Philadelphia Rebels – Brayden Stannard, F, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Isak Posch, Goaltender, Minnesota Wilderness
The Wilderness returned to action this past weekend with a home split against the Springfield Jr. Blues. In goal for both game was Wilderness goalie Isak Posch, 20, who allowed just a single goal in the two games. The 6’3/210 lbs. native of Umea, Sweden, stopped 52 of 53 combined shots in the two games. On Friday, the St. Cloud State recruit made 26 saves in a 1-0 loss. On Saturday, he stopped all 26 shots that came his way for his second shutout of the season in a 2-0 win. For the season, Posch has a 5-3-1 record with a 1.85 goals against average and .935 save percentage. “Isak has been good for us all season and it’s nice that he gets recognized for his hard work with the Player of the Week honor. His work ethic and character drive his performance and on top of our defensive team play he was able to display his skill and talent this weekend and have two stellar performances,” said Wilderness head coach Brett Skinner.
2nd Star: Carson Dorfman, G, Springfield Jr. Blues
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Kayden Hargraves, G, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Kade Nielsen, F, Chippewa Steel – Jackson Reineke, F, Anchorage Wolverines – Billy Renfrew, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Kazumo Sasaki, F, Chippewa Steel – Nils Wallstrom, G, Kenai River Brown Bears – Hayden Walters, F, Kenai River Brown Bears – Aiden Westin, F, Anchorage Wolverines
South Division Star of the Week: Malte Hasselgren, Forward, Oklahoma Warriors
The Oklahoma Warriors and forward Malte Hasselgren, 19, cruised to two wins over the weekend in a road seep of the Corpus Christi IceRays. The 5’9/165 lbs. native of Gavle, Sweden, put up five points in the two wins. On Friday, he assisted on two goals in a 7-3 win. On Saturday, he had a hat-trick, which also included the game-winning goal in a 5-1 win. Hasselgren was also +4 on the weekend. In nine games so far this season, Hasselgren has nine points. “Malte has had a great start to the season and has continued to get better each day. He has created a ton of offense for us all season and this past weekend his line was able to carry us in getting a couple big wins. Malte plays a great puck possession game and his vision and ability to make plays allows him to be a threat every time he's on the ice. It was awesome to see it all come together for him with how hard he has worked to help us have team success,” said Warriors head coach Garrett Roth.
2nd Star: Ryan Mansfield, F, Odessa Jackalopes
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dominik Bartecko, F, Amarillo Wranglers – Nick Comfort, D, Oklahoma Warriors – Jaden Goldie, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Will Howard, F, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Jeff Hutchinson, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves – Matthew MacDonald, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Charlie Masek, F, Lone Star Brahmas – Kason Muscutt, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Rihards Simanovics, D, Amarillo Wranglers
